Tuesday, February 3, 2009

ouroboros

That term is so apt for our lives/my life . It applies to the rhythm of the world and life in particular. This means even Fashion is included. It is an Alchemical term from as far back and the ancient Phoenicians. The symbol is the dragon or serpent biting his own tail. Life and death, starting and ending, the regeneration of life. I'd go so far as to say "The what goes around,comes around "principle.

Considering the new Fall 09 collections are soon to be upon us , this is an unusually tense moment in the now of now. We're in for an interesting barrage of visions. I'm very curious to see how Fashion will define itself . The Mens collections on the whole were very telling. In a nut shell, it's time to hunker down and wait for what will be a very long and cold winter to pass. We can do it as "Innocents" dresssed as school boys, albeit uber stylish ones or we can chill out as very butch ,nothing scares me types. Even that group has the feeling of guarded bravado and uncertain physical and emotional strength. On the whole I really like it when men are less cock sure and more humanized. It has a romantic, tender quality that is very sexy, appealing and empathic.

Raf Simons for Jil Sander, Burberry Prorsum and Bottega said it best. There was a humility to the fabrics, the cut and a distinct lack of tricks in the styling of the clothes. They had almost an Un-New quality that was hot. Like you went to your closet, pulled out some new and old favorites and mixed it up. That is totally indicative of how I see living life today. We need to take what is treasured and add a dash of freshness, by way of unexpected combinations, a new haircut, a change of attitude or a new pair of shoes and work it like today is the last day to dress up. Face it.....many of us have so much more than we need to get by. Whether it's clothes or toys or a lifestyle that's not totally flushed down the proverbial John, we can still Rock and Roll.Looking at these collections gave me the feeling I need only to go into my closet or walk outside and try looking at it all with a fresh perspective. It's time to fill the glass, not empty it. Guess what? we can and WE MUST. I'm tired of being bummed out and most of you are too. Broke or not, we can still make our lives count. Getting dressed in a new and clever way is certainly one way to start the day.

So the dragon eating it's tail is just what Fashion and life does daily and seasonally. We RE-GIFT ourselves and everyone around us. We keep it coming because the only other option is to stop. From endings come new opportunities. From last season comes a shot at a new language to learn. Poetry remains just that whether the words mean anything to you or not. It's that sound, that feeling you get when it enters your soul. What you make of it is up to you. But like a circle, and I LOVE circles , it just keeps coming. The door is always there. We only have to open it and pass through.